Vanita Lindsay received $8,816.20 for a job with the federal government, but did not work a single day for it.

However, she is feverishly trying to contact Ottawa to let them know that she wants to return the money.

After three months of emails and phone calls, the Shawnigan Lake stay-at-home mom finally got an answer Wednesday.

“They’re going to get the money back, which is a good thing: there’s no problem with taxes or a T4, that’s even better, but interest may be charged,” Lindsay said.

“It’s a very complicated and weird thing, but you know, I’m just glad it’s over.”

Lindsay’s bureaucratic nightmare began about a year ago when she decided to apply for a work-from-home position at a call center linked to the Canada Pension Plan.

She interviewed for the clerk position, provided her personal and banking information, and won the spot.

However, Lindsay, who had been out of the workforce for some time due to chronic illness, began to doubt her ability to handle the workload.

“The next day I emailed them saying I couldn’t do the job. I thanked them. I thought it was done,” she said.

But in mid-August, money arrived in his account.

She emailed her supervisor about the file, but received no response.

Two weeks later, more money arrived. So Lindsay started emailing and calling again, eventually reaching a call center and a representative who opened a case.

He was told that either the matter was being resolved or they were looking into the matter. The confusing messages continued and the money continued to arrive.

Lindsay began moving the money to another account, knowing the federal government would eventually come back to claim it.

She was concerned that the income would be reported on a T4 slip and would put her and her husband in a higher tax bracket, impacting her health care plan and child tax benefit.

She said that with her husband’s pilot job, they don’t need extra money and live modestly in a house they own.

Finally, on Wednesday morning, Lindsay received a call from a federal representative who explained what was likely a breakdown in communication with human resources and payroll departments.

“Someone made a mistake…I’m so relieved,” she said. “I can’t help but think I’m not the only one this has happened to.”

THE Colonist of time requested comment from federal human resources, which reports to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, but did not receive a response as of press time.

Lindsay said she kept records of all her calls and emails and received an email explaining how to return the money.

“I have it and I’m ready to give it back,” she said. “Because come tax season, (the Canada Revenue Agency) will put a truck up your butt, and you don’t want to put yourself in a bad position. »

Lindsay said the problem with getting caught in a bureaucratic loop is “there’s not just a phone number you can call” to get answers. She also met managers who replaced people on vacation.

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